We're Settling For Silver

By Erin Howard, GreenPepper

 There were a few quotes that caught my eye lately, all relating to the United States and its commitment to the environment versus Europe’s. For example:

New York Times, March 2, 2010, Square Feet Column, Seeing the Investor Value in Being Green: “‘We come at things from a bit of a European perspective, and Europe is far ahead of the United States in the environmental movement,’ Mr. Bronfman said.”

New York Times, March 9, 2010, Solar Industry Learns Lessons in Spanish Sun: “’The U.S. is really behind Europe on this, and if we wait until solar is cost-competitive on its own, we may miss the boat and an opportunity to shape the market.’”

I shouldn’t be shocked. It’s a well-known fact that the U.S. lags behind Europe in terms of the environment. It’s a fact I’ve seen with my own eyes, having lived in Germany in the early 1990s, where recycling, turning your car off at long stoplights and using recycled paper were already common place. But seeing it in print over and over again? It’s a little like getting punched in the gut.

What I don’t get is: WHY is this acceptable? Why is it that a country who strives to be number one in every other aspect, seems fine to lag behind when it comes to environmental protection and policy? On the list of our goals for the country’s future, when exactly was it decided that we wouldn’t even try to win Gold on this one – that we’d happily accept Silver?

Being second best isn’t an image our country is comfortable with, and it certainly shouldn’t be. Our country should be leading the charge in creating a more sustainable tomorrow, as it leads in so many other ways. It’s not just a matter of coming in first, but of keeping our planet viable for many more Gold medals to come.

Comments

[Ann B.]

It's tough for most to look at all the challenges they have every day and put those aside for consequences that just don't seem close or certain. But if we can't look at investing in alternative energies and cleaning up our acts for the sake of the planet, we at the very least should be viewing them as a means for U.S. based-businesses to compete globally. We've lost a lot of ground because we haven't.
But I do believe that more businesses see the incredible financial opportunities will provide, and that the government will be at least somewhat more supportive of them as they create new technologies. I have hope!

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